Thirty-four star U.S. flag, wool bunting, late 19th or early 20th century reproduction of a 34 star flag, possibly for reunion purposes or later. The zigzag stitch was patented for use on flags in 1892 (courtesy Jeff Bridgman). Spurious ink inscription: "Carried in Battle of Donaphan (sic) Pvt Jonathan Banks June 6, 1862 167 Infantry Troop K". The flag measures 35 ¾ inches on the hoist by 55 ¾ inches on the fly. Provenance: The Estate of A. Welling LaGrone Jr., Nashville, Tenn. Additional Note: Based on the official county history, there was no Battle of Doniphan on June 6, 1862. The authoritative book, The Civil War Day By Day, by E. B. Long, also makes no mention of any engagement in Doniphan for that date. Additional evidence of flag being post war – the metal grommets on the hoist edge, while period for Union flags, were usually used for post, storm and garrison flags which were much larger than this one. They are virtually unknown for unit colors and this flag is far too small to be one of the larger flags mentioned. Secondly, the stars feature zig-zag stitching with a pattern that runs across the body of each star. This was a post-Civil War style of attaching stars to flags. The stars for Civil War era flags were appliquéd to the flags along the outer edges after they were turned under. Zig-zag stitching, according to the essay written by Grace Rogers Cooper, the former curator of textiles for the Smithsonian Institution, did not come into use until the very late 19th Century. The name and battle on the hoist edge do not concur with any historical analysis. The flag could have been made to commemorate something for Doniphan, Missouri even if the date of that event is incorrect. -Catalog entry by Greg Biggs. Condition: Flag remains in very good condition. There are some areas with slight damages and minor holes. The flag has been stitched on canvas stretcher.